52 



BIGGLE GARDEN BOOK 



Farmers' Bulletins Nos. 46, 116, 138, 158 and 263. 

 'Twould be impossible, here, to give full information 

 on this subject. But a few general hints are in 

 order : If you must water plants, etc., or if the 

 season is so abnormally dry that regular rainfall 

 and cultivation does not suffice, remember that one 

 good soaking is worth many surface sprinklings. 

 Endeavor to apply the water toward evening, and 

 cultivate (or mulch) the surface as soon as possible 



DIFFERENT KINDS OF HOES ON A HANDY 

 NOTCHED RACK 



the next day. If the water supply is limited (and it 

 usually is), do not apply it to the surface but in fur- 

 rows opened alongside the plants (as directed under 

 head of Liquid Manure in this chapter), then, when 

 the water has soaked in, cultivate the soil back into 

 place. Do not sprinkle water on plants when the sun 

 is shining hot. Don't think that you can irrigate a 

 big field with an ordinary wind-mill outfit — it takes 

 a tremendous quantity of water to soak even one 

 acre. 



HINTS FROM EXPERIENCE 



Sharp hoes make short work. Carry a file and apply it 

 often. Learn to use a hoe so as to leave the ground sniootJi. 

 Keep hoes clean. 



Do not mix lime with fertilizers, nor wood ashes with 

 hen manure. Why? Because the valuable ammonia (a 

 form of nitrogen) would thus be set loose and would escape. 



